The Marion County Coroner’s Office has released the name of the drowning victim in Raccoon Lake and more information about the incidents leading up to the drowning.
Coroner Troy Cannon identifies the victim as 12-year-old Kaitlynn Rohrscheib of Centralia.
Cannon says Rohrscheib and her thirteen-year-old brother walked from their home on 7th Street to go fishing at Raccoon Lake. At some point, Kaitlynn reportedly complained about the heat and entered the water to swim and cool off. She later entered the water a second time, and lost her footing, falling into the water and slipping under the surface.
Cannon says the boy, unable to retrieve her, ran a considerable distance to summon help. 911 was called, and Centralia Police, Centralia Fire and EMS, and Lifestar EMS immediately responded to the scene.
Cannon reports officers of the Centralia Police Department were able to locate and retrieve the girl from the water and with others on the scene, began resuscitation efforts. She was transported to St Mary’s ER where resuscitation efforts continued, but those efforts were unsuccessful and she was eventually pronounced deceased about an hour after the incident.
Cannon says foul play is not suspected in this case, but the investigation continues. Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is also investigating, due to the ages of those involved and the circumstances precipitating the incident.
The Sutherland/Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia is assisting the family with arrangements.
